of Chelsea, Michigan
Ruth, age 100, passed away peacefully at the Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) November 26, 2011.

Lillian Ruth Burgett was born August 21, 1911 in Deckerville, Michigan, the youngest of six children, to John W. & Sarah M. (Toppping) Burgett. She lived in Iowa and the Grand Rapids area as a child, moving to Port Huron at age 11 after her father died in a work-related accident.  She graduated from Port Huron High School in 1930 and married Gordon E. Curnow May 9, 1931.  They built their own home north of Port Huron and lived there for 58 years before moving to Chelsea in 1995.  She was an avid gardener, baker, knitter, sewer and crocheter, never wasting an idle moment throughout her life.  She was always a recycler and saver of anything that might be used again and became well-known for her knitted scrubbers made from recycled mesh bags.  At CRC she led exercise every day for many years, volunteered at the front desk, and played chimes.  Always kind and gracious, her many efforts to help her family and others are fondly remembered.

She was predeceased by Gordon in 1999 after 68 years of marriage.  Survivors include three children, Gordon J. (Joanne) of Boerne, TX, John W. (Nancy) of Rochester, MI and Ann (Douglas) Hanton of Ann Arbor; six grandchildren, Kevin (Laura) Curnow, Scott (Helen) Hanton, Loralee (Rex) Sprunger, Alan (Karen) Curnow, Dean (Terri) Hanton, and Sue (Eugene) Pratt; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.  She was a life member of the Order of Eastern Star and the oldest member of the “90's Club” of First United Methodist Church in Port Huron.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 1, 1:30 p.m. at Chelsea Retirement Community Main Chapel, with Rev. Cathy Rafferty officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 12:30 until the funeral. There will be a graveside service at the Chapel of Lakeside Cemetery in Port Huron Friday, December 2 at 1:00 p.m, with Rev. John Huhtala officiating. In lieu of flowers, gifts to the Chelsea Retirement Community Heritage Foundation or the First United Methodist Church in Port Huron are appreciated.

Click here to view or sign Ruth's online guestbook